Quarterback Ryan Aplin passed for a season-high 369 yards and four touchdowns, and Arkansas State rallied on the road before fending off pesky Troy in a 41-34 victory Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The win against the Trojans (5-6, 3-4) ensures the Red Wolves (8-3, 6-1) sewed up at least a share of the Sun Belt Conference championship, and can win their second-consecutive outright title with a victory against Middle Tennessee (7-3, 5-1) on Dec. 1.

Trailing 17-13 in the second quarter, the Red Wolves retook the lead 27-20 on Aplin's 42-yard touchdown pass to running back David Oku with 9:11 left in the third quarter.

But Troy (5-6, 3-4) put a scare into the Red Wolves, piling up 518 yards of total offense.

Quarterback Corey Robinson had 417 yards and 1 touchdown on 26 of 35 passing, while wide receiver Chip Reeves led the Trojans with 142 yards and a touchdown on 6 catches.

Arkansas State put up 595 yards of total offense, while wide receiver J.D. McKissic had a team-high 138 yards and 1 touchdown.

How could a coach leave his players on the field who were obviously trying to physically harm the other team's players by purposefully making illegal hits ? And why weren't the officials tossing them from the game. It (the hits) happened several times.